AQO 833/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 12/09/2024
Answered On Date: 23/09/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether he intends to introduce paid carer's leave in his proposed Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill.

Answer:

I am supportive of a paid entitlement and met recently with CarersNI to discuss their proposals. It is important to be honest about the financial constraints placed upon the Executive. In addition to the annually recurring costs of providing paid carer’s leave, there are other possible implications such as the availability of funding for any HMRC system changes that would be required. These changes would require considerable set up costs and the ongoing annual costs could be substantial. Therefore I am urging the British Government to adopt paid carers leave as part of its workers rights agenda. This would mean similar support could be provided here without an impact on the block grant. The Good Jobs Employment Rights Consultation closes on 30 September 2024. Finalisation of policy proposals can only properly be undertaken once all responses to the consultation have been duly evaluated.